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DUMBARTON HERALD 29 July 1869

MELANCHOLY BOAT ACCIDENT - EIGHT PERSONS DROWNED (continued)

The anchor was down having fallen out of the boat as she had capsized, and thus held her fast to the spot. The father and son, after considerable difficulty, succeeded in righting the boat, but no trace of any of the unfortunate occupants could be found. They then proceeded to the shore and raised an alarm, when five boats' crews were quickly mustered and at once put out in search. About five yards from the upturned boat the body of Mrs McCrae was observed on the sand in about four feet of water, and about three yards further off the child of Thomson was likewise found. A further search was made for the other bodies, but without success. Both bodies were removed to Geilston.

By this time the fearful character of the calamity which had befallen the family of McCrae began to be realised, and the old father, upon being conveyed ashore, became greatly excited, and had to be removed to his home, where his wife, upon hearing what had happened, likewise became greatly distressed. A boat's crew was promptly despatched to Port-Glasgow for grappling irons, and yesterday afternoon about half-a-dozen boats' crews were engaged trawling for the rest of the bodies. > more [7]